• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

NICABM home pageNICABM

Better outcomes. More quickly.

  • Home
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Earn CE/CMEs
  • Contact

Three Ways to Resource Clients When Anxiety Is Triggered

47 Comments

When a client struggles with emotional triggers, finding ways to help them disrupt that automatic cycle of reactivity can be difficult.

But according to Rick Hanson, PhD, there are three key practices that can help a client regain a sense of safety and calm – especially when anxiety gets triggered.

He takes us through them in the video below. Check it out – it’s just four minutes.

By resourcing clients with effective ways to strengthen their sense of safety and connection, we can begin to expand their toolkit for managing an emotional trigger.

Now I’d like to hear from you. What have you found to be helpful in working with a client’s emotional triggers?

Please share a comment below.

Shares83FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

Related Posts: Uncategorized

Please Leave A Comment Cancel reply

47 Comments

  1. B BEALM, Another Field, BM says

    I am enjoying Rick Hanson clip. I am new to EFT, IFT, or grounding techniques consisting in step out of your head and look around for 4-3-2-1 concrete objects placed outside. What I love the most and it is very familiar, super easy to use is the basic breathing technique : counting 1o 3 second when inhaling and counting to 5 second when exhaling. Simple, and quick fix. I love this the best.

    Reply
  2. Patrick Martin, Counseling, Greater LA, CA, USA says

    what a wonderful site. thank you for putting out such helpful material. I will definitely be coming back to sharpen my skills.

    My name is Patrick Martin and I am new to blogging and Pinterest. I am a mental health therapist and I started my blog to help raise mental health awareness. I appreciate the opportunity to join your group board. I would love to be invited to your group board. My website/bog is thementalhealthtoolbox.com and my pinterest profile is https://www.pinterest.com/patrickmartinlcsw. Thank you for your time.

    Reply
  3. Pauline Guthrie, Counseling, AU says

    Very deep, slow, rhythmic breathing…

    Reply
  4. B Williams, Psychology, New York, NY, USA says

    It is an amazing program, really. I am a graduate student in psychology and find an overwhelming amount of mesmerizing information here for my thesis on fear, depersonalization/trauma. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  5. Connie Glasser, Other, Bismarck, ND, USA says

    Very good n interesting skill. Thank you! It makes sense.

    Reply
  6. Marc Carpio, Other, Washington, DC, USA says

    Somehow I seldom think tranquilizers does it well only in public speaking they overly use them and then tell you to reduce its too addictive. It only and awkwardly gets worse

    Reply
  7. Heidi Z, Exercise Physiology, AU says

    Being conscious of the posture is key to feeling strong and tall. Curving the shoulders of the upper body stress how tense a person is victimized or not Since yoga released my tension and ache I am a great believer that the posture easily creates a sense of relief and good breathing habit

    Reply
  8. Tom D, Counseling, Lineville , NC, USA says

    Great resources! Could we may be see what researches have been done in therapies for ADHD to back these up? This is the toughest issue for children today

    Reply
  9. Gysha Z, Counseling, R, CO, USA says

    The only way to know is to check back. Does anyone know when the new recording will be out?

    Reply
  10. Jidiy P, Nursing, San Diego, CA, USA says

    Yes, absolutely ! I can’t find other resources so this is the only place for me, but is there any other format ?

    Reply
  11. Lisa M, Counseling, AU says

    I think the course is still online, but no more lectures on this topic, I believe.

    Reply
  12. Amanda, Psychotherapy, Denver, CO, USA says

    Are there more lectures following?

    Reply
  13. G Marvin, Chiropractor, AU says

    Why does the DSM-5 chapter on anxiety disorders not include obsessive-compulsive disorder ?

    Reply
  14. linda macgillivray, Counseling, CA says

    Adding Feldenkrais to one’s life will bring remarkable results.

    Reply
  15. Mike, Counseling, GB says

    Identify the source of the anxiety, psyed. and supportive presence

    Reply
  16. Sandra Cohen, Social Work, AU says

    I ask them what worked for them in the past and reflect on what it was that actually helped them. Remind them that they have survived until now and done really well overall.

    Reply
  17. Pat Smith, Other, Kalamazoo, MI, USA says

    When did “resource” become a transitive verb?

    Reply
  18. Jean M, Another Field, Boston, MA, USA says

    In addition to what Rick Hanson said about “the feeling of being strong” is how helpful weight training has been to me as a woman in my sixties. It is hardly ever mentioned to women in general as advice. It is a real feeling of empowerment and psychological well being to be training my core and upper body to have greatly increased strength. It is hard to describe that feeling in words. But I have that as another very helpful tool in dealing with anxiety.

    Reply
    • Michelle Hess, Coach, Eureka, CA, USA says

      Yes, yes, yes! I constantly tell women about the power of strength training (& yoga for strengthening, ie. Holding poses).

      Reply
  19. Eugenia, Social Work, Eureka Springs , AR, USA says

    I use a Mindfulness practice.
    Several of my clients respond beautifully and gratefully when we practice a Loving Kindness Meditation.
    Followed by very brief journaling.
    Today I saw a young adult who I’ve been working with for at least 5 years.
    First I saw the client every week individually and in Group 2x a week.
    We used a lot of ACT & Sandtray.
    For the past 3 years the client will call me for a “tune up” maybe every couple of months.
    Today the client wanted to use coloring pages and we put on Insight Timer and listened to Kristin Neff.
    I watch the client’s face and body as the shoulders began to relax,
    occasionally eyes closed and coloring stopped,
    then moved to a small smile 😊 followed by a long gaze at me and a big sigh.
    The client left smiling and breathing deeply.
    I felt better too!
    Eugenia Cottrell,Mdiv,LCSW,RPT
    Infant Mental Health Therapist

    Reply
    • Jerusha Nelson-Brent, Counseling, Livonia , MI, USA says

      I love this.

      Reply
  20. Lilian Ing, Psychology, SG says

    I really like this ‘here and now’ approach to dealing the anxiety. Simple and effective.
    Thanks

    Reply
  21. Rachel M, Teacher, CA says

    I try to understand what they’re scared of. Ex. I had a student who blamed me for things because she was scared she would fail. I told her that I’d not done what she thought and reassured her that she had studied these things and that she would be asked to do what we did in class.

    Reply
    • Rachel m, Teacher, CA says

      She would be asked ON THE TEST to do what we did in class. She would not be tricked.

      Reply
  22. Christine Paynter, Psychology, AU says

    Thank you. Get resource hearing these reminders.

    Reply
  23. Lisa Reid, Social Work, Roswell, GA, USA says

    I am using EFT tapping with amazing results. It is efficiently and effectively addressing decades of countless misperceptions that have caused tremendous anxiety and fear based paralysis of moving forward in many life realms. For the hypersensitive and hyper vigilant client this truly is affording them emotional freedom to live.

    Reply
  24. Lisabeth Wotherspoon, Psychotherapy, Milton, NH, USA says

    I would love to learn more about the response cycle. Lisabeth Wotherspoon
    Lw310@columbia.edu

    Reply
  25. Eric Houghton, Medicine, Olympia, WA, USA says

    I relate that our intuitions can instantaneously integrate and process all of our inner and outer environments, and just as instantaneously suggest options as necessary. I literally ask the question, “What should I do?”, then wait to see if my intuition comes up with options. If something occurs to me I use my gut to decide whether it is useful, or dangerous, or just ok. “Should I do this? Should I not do this? Is it ok?” All yes/no questions. “Should I worry about this? Is this OK? Should I go home now? Should I say goodbye to my host first? Etc.” Making a decision, by answering the question, makes it much easier to commit to an action that might otherwise be plagued with doubt or fear. I say that the answers may not be right, but they are best we have, and making mistakes helps our intuition do better next time. I encourage patients to let their brains do what they are best at…processing information quickly, using all data available. I have heard it said that if our brain’s ability to process information was contained in a computer lab it would be the size of the Empire State Building. Probably dated now, but maybe a quarter the size. Have a nice day!

    Reply
  26. Tammy Rockwood, Another Field, danville, NH, USA says

    I can write to you as both the client and professional. It has helped me to have a personal understanding of what my clients are going through. It gives me an advantage to be able to choose the right words for the right situation. Being able to empathize with them helps. So they don’t feel like they are going through the pain alone. When you tell someone you empathize with them you are telling them you feel their pain. It’s as real to you as it is to them. They take great comfort in that.

    Reply
  27. B M, Other, GB says

    I write as a client rather than as a therapist. When I’m anxious I’m aware of racing heartbeat, agitation in abdomen etc and focussing on these bodily sensations increases my anxiety. Feeling feet or sitting bones connected to the earth/chair can work. Imagining a hug from my favourite person sometimes works. I’m not sure what a felt sense of safety feels like in my body so feeling into my body when I am safe would be useful. Some information which Ruth sent out recently [What happens in the brain during a potentially traumatic event] showed the the eye sends a message of threat to the brain stem. Would a strategy of looking around noticing that all is safe and calm [no threat] help to calm the system?
    I appreciate the videos and the opportunity to discuss this with you -B

    Reply
    • Michelle Hess, Coach, Eureka, CA, USA says

      Yes looking around would definitely help. There’s a strategy where you use your five senses and you ask yourself what do I see, what do I hear, what do I feel as in touch, what do I smell what do I taste? When I’ve had really high anxiety I’ve done that repeatedly until my system calms down.

      Reply
      • Barbara Moorby, Other, GB says

        Thank you, Michelle, I’ll try that.

        Reply
    • E D, Teacher, GB says

      Hello B M, I would agree with your observations on focussing on the sensations of anxiety within your body only serve to increase the anxiety and that focussing on the feet or sitting bones etc -‘grounding’ can really help with anxiety. You mention looking around and noticing that all is actually safe in your environment may be helpful and that reminded me of a sort of visual/mental grounding practice that may help here Essentially you ask yourself to find (for instance) 5 green things, 4 square things, 3 animals, 2 tall things, 1 round thing. I hope this may be a helpful experiment for you to try, E

      Reply
  28. Janine Goldstein, Psychology, Northfield , IL, USA says

    Being able to remain calm and model deep breathing and reassuring client that anxiety will pass while commenting on the process.

    Reply
    • Angela Ekkert, Coach, BR says

      I want to tell you that your method is likely the most positive one for clients to benefit from. Just observing not making critical comments and middling breathing is s great way to make a clients day better.

      Reply
      • Lisa M, Other, CA says

        Think that it is just temporary, things will get better.

        Reply
  29. Tobias Schreiber, Counseling, Boiling Springs, SC, USA says

    Excellent focus on being present, strong, and unburdened with extra anxiety. Thank you for this gift of knowing presence.

    Reply
  30. Andrew Seubert, Psychotherapy, Burdett, NY, USA says

    I’ve developed a “Response Cycle”, which was originally an “Anxiety Cycle”, but it works with anger, stress, etc. as well. I always begin with the body, because that’s where the fight or flight experience is felt. I believe that the second and third suggestions that Rick made would be more effective after quieting down the physical, sympathetic alarm. After quieting the body, I teach clients to develop skills in working with the thoughts, emotions, images and behaviors that can either feed the anxiety or break the cycle. I’d be happy to share the image of the cycle if you would tell me how. Andrew Seubert (seuberta@mac.com)

    Reply
    • Sand, Psychotherapy, Cheshire, CT, USA says

      HI, I also teach and assist the above when working with anxiety – I would love to see your model. Could I email you? Thanks Sandy

      Reply
    • Susan Penn, Coach, San Diego, CA, USA says

      I’d like to see the model as well, Andrew. Rick, thank you for providing this and also for sharing that you have a basically anxious temperament. Hearing that actually deactivated some of the secondary responses I have to my own anxiety. What I find challenging is when I’m trying to sleep, my resources and guard are down, and anxious thoughts in the mind can take over. Loss of sleep further increases anxiety. Learning to work with this tendency and trait is my work and a big part of my own life.

      Reply
    • edward eismann, Psychotherapy, floral park, NY, USA says

      Andrew: I also, as a couple of others here would like to receive a copy of your “Response Cycle” printout. edoc95@gmail.com

      Reply
    • Lisabeth Wotherspoon, Psychotherapy, Milton, NH, USA says

      I would live to learn more about the response cycle. Lisabeth Wotherspoon
      Lw310@columbia.edu

      Reply
    • Cheryl Carter, Counseling, Federal Way, WA, USA says

      I would like to receive a copy of your Response Cycle printout, too.

      Thanks for your willingness to share!

      Reply
      • Andrew Seubert, Psychotherapy, Burdett, NY, USA says

        Given the numerous requests, I decided to send you all one link. It will take you to the Resource page of our website. Scroll down the page to “Resource Cycle”. Click to download. In the downloaded file (which gives some of the context for the cycle) are are two more links at the end. One is for the Resource/anxiety cycle and the other is a short article about Awareness.

        Thanks for the interest, and a continued conversation and feedback are most welcome. And here’s the link:

        http://www.clearpathtrainingcenter.com/resources.html

        Reply
    • ella walker, Counseling, AU says

      Response cycle request please! ellaglenniewalker@gmail.com (:

      Reply
    • Amanda Pyper, Marriage/Family Therapy, Solvang, CA, USA says

      Thank you Andrew for your resources! Love meeting somebody who uses Gestalt therapy too! (and EMDR)

      Reply

Recent Posts

  • Polyvagal Theory & Perfectionism – A Brief Case Study
  • Three Ways to Resource Clients When Anxiety Is Triggered
  • One Childhood Lesson That Sticks with Me
  • One Way to Start Shifting Clients Out of a Blame Mindset
  • Could a Smartphone App Help Treat PTSD?

Categories

  • Blame
  • Brain
  • Charity
  • Chronic Pain
  • Exercise and brain health
  • Fear and Mindfulness
  • Infographics
  • Internet Marketing
  • Kindness and Compassion
  • Mind/body medicine
  • Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness Meditation
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Neuroscience and Relationships
  • Next Level Practitioner
  • Prayer and Meditation
  • Self-Compassion
  • Shame
  • Spiritual Growth
  • Spiritual Therapy
  • Spirituality and Healing
  • Spirituality and Medicine
  • Stress
  • Trauma
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Uncategorized

40 Wilbur Cross Way Suite 102
Storrs, CT 06268
(860) 456-1153

FAQs
Contact Us
Courses
Claim CE/CMEs
Accreditation
Hiring
SITEMAP – PRIVACY POLICY – TERMS OF USE

CONNECT WITH US

40 Wilbur Cross Way, Suite 102
Storrs, CT 06268
Phone: (860) 456-1153
Fax: (860) 423-4512
respond@nicabm.com
Copyright © 2019

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!